New Caledonia hiking and trekking simply can't be beaten. From easy walks perfect for all levels of fitness to hiking routes that are best suited to the more adventurous, the archipelago’s breathtaking natural beauty and diverse landscapes provide the perfect setting for those looking to explore on foot. Challenging, yet incredibly rewarding, the Grande Randonnée, known as the GR, sits amongst New Caledonia hiking trail royalty. Get your backpack ready, the GR is waiting for you!

Isle of Pines cruise destination

In the space of a few years, New Caledonia has become a key destination for cruise ships departing from Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland. Over half a million passengers step ashore in New Caledonia every year to find a wide range of services on offer.

Effortlessly combining the breathtaking beauty of the South Pacific with the elegance of Europe, Nouméa, New Caledonia is a captivating cosmopolitan capital. Lined with magnificent beaches, beautiful waterways and no shortage of breathtaking vantage points, a visit to the New Caledonian capital reveals some of the incredible reasons why this corner of the globe shouldn’t be missed. From engaging cultural attractions to fun activities for the whole family, there’s so much to see and do across the unforgettable oceanside city of Nouméa, New Caledonia.

Encompassing Ouvéa, the Isle of Pines, Lifou, Tiga and Maré, the five islands that border New Caledonia’s main island are a slice of island paradise just waiting to be discovered. From the Blue Hole of Hanawa on Ouvéa and Warrior’s Leap on Maré to the Jokin Cliffs on Lifour and the Isle of Pines’ Oro Bay, New Caledonia’s islands and their incredible natural beauty are nothing short of captivating.

The West Coast of the mainland (Grande Terre) shows off a great variety of scenery from its northern tip down to the area surrounding Nouméa. Characterised by both large spaces favouring cattle farming and a lagoon of stunning beauty, the West Coast is also host to a rich cultural heritage.

The central mountain range of the Mainland (Grande Terre) is a natural boundary, overlooking the very different faces of the East and West Coasts. Exposed to strong winds and therefore more humid, the eastern coast offers scenery with sumptuous flora. With a population of largely Melanesian origin, the East Coast has also retained a particularly charming flavour of authenticity.

The Great South, comprising the Mont-Dore and Yaté municipalities, is the most symbolic region for New Caledonia’s three main colours: blue, green and red. From the rainforest to the mining lands there are a thousand shades of green, while the ocean offers a dazzling palette of blues. But if one colour dominates the Great South, it is the specific red of its ground.

Ouano’s mangroves

Newly created and signposted, three educational paths now allow visitors to explore Ouano’s mangrove swamps and get to know this fragile ecosystem essential to the preservation of biodiversity on the island.

The three footpaths give visitors the opportunity to explore a portion of the mangrove swamp’s 155 hectares. Many information plaques set up at the foot of the mangrove trees or close to areas of bare ground (“tannes”) aid visitors in identifying the area’s different plant species.

The mangroves paths

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Suitable paths

Very easily accessible, the three paths are suitable for all kinds of visitors. Two of them, the Nipwinô (3.8 km round trip) and the Nidöwé (4.5 km round trip) paths are virtually flat. Only the Méégivé path (1.6 km round trip) has a slight height difference of around 100 meters.
There is a marvelous wealth of flora and fauna to be discovered among the mangroves, guaranteed to surprise many visitors!